PULSE...PULSE MAY 2020 EDITION South West Hospital and Health Service Midwife Jacqui Durose loves working and living in the South West From the Board Chair, Karen Tully 4 From the

PULSEM A Y 2 0 2 0 E D I T I O N

South West Hospital and Health Service

Midwife Jacqui Durose loves working and living

in the South West

From the Board Chair, Karen Tully 4

From the Chief Executive, Linda Patat 5

OUR COMMUNITIES

New SWHHS Board members welcomed 6

South West is COVID-19 prepared 7

Not now, not ever 8

National Reconciliation Week 2020 9

Nursing the world to health – a celebration of nurses and midwives 10

Charleville parkrun, ready and waiting … 11

Keeping friends connected 12

Make 2020 the year you quit 13

Effects on your body once you quit 14

South West staff member shares her ‘quit’ story 15

Healthy Communities initiative 15

OUR TEAMS

Nothing about us without us 16

OUR RESOURCES

Telehealth – the way of the future 17

Reboot your privacy 18

OUR SERVICES

Health Pathways through the pandemic 19

#SWSPIRIT AWARD WINNER FOR MAY 20

ROMA HOSPITAL BUILD UPDATE 21

We would like to pay our respects to the traditional owners of the lands across the South West. We would also like to pay our

respects to the current and future Elders who will inherit the responsibility of keeping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

culture alive, and creating a better life for the generations to follow. We believe the future happiness and wellbeing of all

Australians and their future generations will be enhanced by valuing and taking pride in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander peoples – the oldest living culture of humanity.

SOUTH WEST QUEENSLAND TRADITIONAL OWNERS

OUR VALUES

This newsletter is produced by the South West Hospital and Health Service (South West HHS).

All feedback and contributions are welcome to [email protected].

All published material has been approved by the Health Service Chief Executive.

Augathella – Bidjara (Bid-jara)

Bollon – Kooma (Coo-ma)

Charleville – Bidjara (Bid-jara)

Cunnamulla – Kunya (Koun-yah) with other interests

Dirranbandi – Kooma (Coo-ma)

Injune – Kongabula (Kong-ga-bull-a)

Mitchell – Gunggari (Gon-gari)

Morven – Bidjara (Bid-jara)

Mungindi – Kamilaroi (Car-milla-roy)

Quilpie – Bunthamarra (Bun-tha-mar-ra) and Wangkumara (Wong-ka-mara)

Roma – Mandandanji (Mand-an-dand-gee)

St George – Kooma (Coo-ma) with Kamilaroi, Mandandanji, Bigambul and Gungarri interests

Surat – Mandandanji (Mand-an-dand-gee)

Thargomindah – Kullila (Coo-lee-lar)

Wallumbilla – Mandandanji (Mand-an-dand-gee)

QUALITY ACCOUNTABILITY ENGAGEMENT ADAPTABILITY COMPASSION

South West Hospital and Health Service3

South West Hospital and Health Service4 South West Hospital and Health Service4

It is an absolute honour and privilege to be appointed as Chair of the South West Hospital and Health Board. I, along with my fellow board members Claire Alexander, Ray Chandler, Fiona Gaske (currently on leave) and Jan Chambers extend a warm welcome to our two newly appointed board members, Dr Mark Waters and Kerry Crumblin. Both have deep connections and wide networks within our region – Mark spent much of his childhood in various towns in South West Queensland and Kerry has lived most of her life in Cunnamulla.

Our faces will soon be familiar to you. Once travel restrictions are lifted, the board team, along with our Chief Executive Linda Patat and Board Governance Officer Donna Burke will resume our community engagement travel around the vast South West region. We will be visiting facilities to listen and learn about your role, your team, your location, your unique challenges, and the amazing work being undertaken to improve healthcare in your patch.

Our SWHHS’s continuous health promotion messaging in relation to flattening the curve has fallen on receptive ears in our rural and remote communities. I have observed there has been a concerted and diligent effort made by the public to willingly comply with health directives to ensure people protect themselves and others from Covid-19. The wider South West community has a steely determination to remain Covid-19 free, and I applaud this stance.

I would like to express my immense gratitude to all staff for your ‘can do’ approach to maintaining quality services whilst professionally stepping up and undertaking pandemic preparedness planning. We have had one foot on the brake as we freed up capacity in our system to cater for potential Covid-19 needs, and the other foot has been firmly on the accelerator, as we continued the business of healthcare with our usual compassion, whilst implementing and embedding new systems e.g. telehealth and ‘at home’ health care. We are certainly at a historical moment in time as we move rapidly from the ‘before this’ to the ‘after this’ stage which is presenting as a ‘new normal’ way of working.

I express my appreciation to all staff who have demonstrated great professional and practical agility as you have rapidly pivoted, changed and adapted in recent months. Your efforts are noted and acknowledged by the Board.

As we transition to this ‘new normal’, there has never been a more important time to care for yourself and others. Please be kind to yourself whilst looking out for others in the workplace and thank you for taking the time to do the work that really matters.

Karen Tully

There are moments which mark your life. Moments

when you realize nothing will ever be the same and time is divided into two parts -

before this, and after this.”

John Hobbes, a character played by Denzel Washington in the

1998 movie, Fallen.

FROM THE BOARD CHAIR, KAREN TULLY

“

The Pulse March 20205

WHERE’S LINDABEEN?

FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LINDA PATAT

It was another month behind the desk for Linda last month,

but things are slowly getting back to normal, and a morning

walk has been back in the daily routine. Can you pick where

Linda has been walking this month?

The Pulse May 20205

We made it to June everyone – it’s been a long 18 weeks or so since we first stood up our Health Emergency Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic; no one could have foreseen the ups and downs we were to live through.

The pandemic response environment has now resulted in us focusing on stabilising our organisation and moving forward with new ways of working. We do so with the continuing appreciation that the future is somewhat unknown, and we may experience isolated outbreaks at any time. The ongoing efforts and vigilance of our staff have been second to none, and the working and personal support from our key partners will come through this stronger than ever. Thank you all for the way you have held yourselves during this time.

We have spent time working with our communities and consumer representatives to gain their insights and advice in relation to how we are approaching many of our health service changes. We’ve received such positive feedback from everyone about how amazing our staff have been during this time, and I really do appreciate hearing those stories and being able to share them with those involved.

As Karen mentioned, I also welcome our new Board members, whose profiles are included in this Pulse for introductions. Our organisation is well positioned to go from strength to strength and I am particularly optimistic about our future. We are making good headway on our new models of care, expanding telehealth and strengthening our focus on primary and community care; and working in partnership to join up services more effectively in local towns.

In the coming weeks we will conclude the budget-build process for 2020–21 and I look forward to sharing with you the key items we will be working to deliver. The approach to this coming year’s budget builds on last year’s position, where we are gradually ensuring our services are sustainable. This means being able to pay for technology and infrastructure that has largely included legacy

systems and buildings that won’t meet the growing need to deliver services differently. Better meeting the health and wellness needs of rural and remote communities will require us to deliver services closer to home where it is safe and appropriate to do so; and to work locally to build strong communities who value connection and health for all.

I have had my own little milestone this month, with my gorgeous little Bella turning 16! She is such a treasure to our family – and to me personally as a mum – and to be there when she got her learner’s permit was a very exciting moment for her (and a reflective and slightly nervous one for me). I am hoping she will visit me more with the incentive to get her hours up!

In closing please continue to be vigilant with our public health measures and take time to care first and foremost for yourself and your own physical and emotional health and wellness, and then to look out for those around you. We are certainly in this together, and it is together that we will work through whatever lies ahead.

Yours in service

L


NEW SWHHS BOARD MEMBERS WELCOMED

Kerry Crumblin

Kerry Crumblin is the Chief Executive Officer of Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health (CACH) and has actively contributed to the South West community for more than 20 years. An Aboriginal woman of the Mardigan people of far South West Queensland, Kerry is driven by a passion for improving the health, education and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the region.

Kerry is an experienced administrator, project coordinator and policy writer, having successfully assisted Aboriginal organisations over many years – providing project and policy support for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) and secretariat work for the Goolburri Regional Council. She has also worked closely with Queensland Health across health administration and program areas.

Kerry has been a Board Member for four years and Deputy Chairperson for two years of the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) and was formerly Native Title Community Relations Manager with Queensland South Native Title Services.

Kerry works tirelessly to ensure her community has access to the full range of high-quality, holistic and culturally appropriate primary health services, and that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients are empowered to fully participate in the management of their own health. She is passionate about improving overall health outcomes for her community, building the capacity of CACH as well as forging partnerships with other organisations and service providers.

Dr Mark Waters

Dr Mark Waters is a medical practitioner who has worked in Ipswich, Mt Isa, Ayr and Gympie, and has also held management roles in metropolitan areas. Mark has a lifelong interest in rural medicine and brings a wealth of knowledge and managerial expertise to the South West Hospital and Health Board.

Mark is particularly committed to improving health services and outcomes for people in rural and remote areas. Having lived in the South West during his childhood – he attended primary schools in Charleville, Quilpie, Mitchell and Thallon – Mark is passionate about making a positive difference to health outcomes in the region.

Mark is currently the Director of Patient Safety at The Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane and has been a Principal Health Consultant for Deloitte. Some of Mark’s recent appointments include Executive Director of Medical Services Pathology Queensland and Director of Learning and Workforce at the Queensland Children’s Hospital. He has also been a senior medical officer and visiting medical officer at Cherbourg Hospital.

Other appointments include Deputy Chair of the Queensland Medical Board and a World Health Organisation Consultant with the Malaysian Ministry of Health. Mark is currently also Chair of the Ipswich Hospice Care Inc.

Mark holds a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) University of Queensland; Diploma of Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (Dip of RACOG); and fellowships with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP) and the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators (FRACMA). He also holds a Master of Health Administration (MHA) University of New South Wales and is a Certified Health Informatician Australasia (CHIA).

The Pulse May 20206


Even during these challenging times, everyone, every day has been united in supporting the health and wellbeing of our South West communities. We are stronger together!

Since COVID-19 was officially declared a pandemic across the South West, we have taken actions to reduce the risk of an outbreak in our communities, including preparing for increased patient presentations.

The ‘new norm’ is about adhering to the strict regulations in place including staying home if you are sick, socially distancing and practicing good hygiene.

All of us at the South West Hospital and Health Service have adapted to new ways of staying connected with our communities and consumers through telehealth, email and other virtual means, ensuring healthcare needs continue to be met. We have also ramped up external communication to keep everyone across the South West informed about what we are doing for them and what we can all do to minimise the spread.

In Queensland, the modelling clearly indicates that social distancing and other restrictions still in place have made and continue to make a real difference. But even as the threat seems to have eased, we need to remain vigilant and adhere to these restrictions and hygiene requirements.

Queensland Health has set up a hotline (134 COVID or 134 26843) to answer questions about the Public Health Directions. However, it is important we direct people to the Queensland Health website in the first instance as the FAQs provide comprehensive information. The hotline is available for any additional questions.

Both the Public Health Direction webpage and the Exemption from a Public Health Direction webpage contain a wealth of COVID-19 information. They currently don’t include the hotline number (13 COVID or 134 26843) but both pages are being relaunched and will list the number when the pages are redeveloped later this week.

Infection control is key to mitigating risk of transmission, and we continue to follow best practices in all our facilities and provide care in a way that’s safe for our staff and patients.

While there is so much focus on COVID-19, other medical needs are still important. If you have or know someone with a chronic health condition, injury, or symptoms of stroke, heart attack or any other life-threatening emergency, please don’t wait to seek help. Those who delay can suffer unnecessarily and risk developing a more acute illness.

Each May, Queensland marks Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month (DFVP Month) to raise community awareness of domestic and family violence (DFV) and to send a clear message that it will not be tolerated in our families, workplaces and homes.

We need to work together to stop the behaviour and attitudes that allow domestic and family violence to continue. All over the state – in our workplaces, schools, sporting clubs, neighbourhoods and communities – we need to understand what we can do to help put an end to domestic, workplace and family violence.

Although most events and activities to mark DFVP Month have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still plenty of opportunities to say ‘Not now, not ever.

Together’ to help put an end to DFV in our communities.

We all have a role to play – individually and collectively – and this adds to the ever-increasing collective voice calling for violence to end.

If you are experiencing domestic or family violence, know that you are not alone. Our managers and Human Resources unit will help and support you. All employees have access to support for domestic and family violence, including:

• a minimum of 10 days paid special leave

• flexible working arrangements

• reasonable workplace adjustments

• counselling and support services through our Employee Assistance Service provider, Lifeworks (login with swhhs, password swhhs).

SOUTH WEST IS COVID-19 PREPARED

NOT NOW, NOT EVER


NOT NOW, NOT EVEREmployee Assistance Service provider, Lifeworks (login with swhhs, password swhhs).

If you are an employee who is affected by domestic and family violence and you are unsure of how to reach out for support, visit I am affected by domestic and family violence (DFV) on QHEPS and consider talking to your line manager, a trusted colleague or Human Resources, when you feel comfortable and safe to do so.

It is very important that we all support one another in the workplace. If you are a manager or a colleague who would like to help a co-worker and you are unsure about how best to do this, visit I would like to help a colleague on QHEPS, contact Human Resources or see the Queensland Health factsheet on Domestic and Family Violence and COVID-19.

Our Employee Assistance Provider, Lifeworks (login with swhhs, password swhhs) has also developed valuable resources including:

• What to do if you think someone you manage is experiencing abuse during the pandemic

• Lifeworks: Domestic abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Training

An online course, Recognise, Respond, Refer: Domestic Violence and the Workplace, has been developed in collaboration with CEO Challenge, an award-winning charity that challenges the business sector to help break the silence surrounding domestic violence. This course covers both understanding domestic violence and the impact of domestic violence in the workplace, as well as how to respond to staff and colleagues who may be impacted by domestic violence.

All line managers are required to complete this course, which can be accessed through SWHHS Learning Online.

Other Support

The following external providers and support services are available to help people experiencing domestic and family violence.

Provider Contact Number Details Operating Hours

Triple zero 000 To access police, fire and emergency services, or ambulance but only if there is imminent danger or someone has been the victim of violence.

24 hours7 days

DVConnect Womensline 1800 811 811 Assists women and their children to obtain safe refuge accommodation, counselling and referral to other support services.

24 hours7 days

DVConnect Mensline 1800 600 636 Provides counselling, information and referral to men affected by domestic violence. Assists both male victims as well as men who are seeking help to stop their abusive behaviour.

9am-12pm7 days

Sexual Assault Helpline 1800 010 120 Provides counselling, information and referral to people who have experienced sexual assault.

9am-12pm7 days

1800 Respect 1800 737 732 This national service provides crisis and trauma counselling to people affected by domestic, family and sexual violence.

24 hours7 days

Elder Abuse Helpline 1300 651 192 Provides information and support to older people who experience elder abuse.

9am-5pmMon-Fri

Policelink 131 444 Policelink is the main police contact number and can be used to report crimes or if a person feels threatened or in danger.

24 hours7 days

If you do not feel safe in your own home and need immediate help, call 000. If you can’t speak safely, press 55 to signal you are in danger and this will be treated as a request for help. In addition, 1800RESPECT is available 24/7 on 1800 737 732, along with an online chat service via their website.

For further information regarding supporting yourself or others affected by domestic and family violence, please visit the dedicated page on QHEPS.

The Pulse May 20208


Firstly, we offer our respect to the Traditional Custodians and Elders of the lands and waterways across our wonderful South West Queensland.

Although COVID-19 restrictions put a dampener on planned celebrations, everyone across the South West took the time to acknowledge and celebrate National Reconciliation Week 2020.

Our Senior Indigenous Health Coordinator Rodney Landers opened a Virtual Town Hall meeting on Wednesday 27 May to officially recognise the start of National Reconciliation Week (NRW). Despite not being able to come together physically, it was wonderful to see so many staff from all over the South West join in virtually.

The national theme for NRW 2020 is In This Together, which is even more meaningful given this phrase has been used so frequently to express our shared experience and humanity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year marks 20 years of shaping Australia’s journey towards a more just, equitable and reconciled nation. It is also the 20th anniversary of the ‘reconciliation walks’ of 2000, when people across the country came together and walked across bridges in cities and towns to express their desire and commitment for a more reconciled Australia.

National Reconciliation Week is a time for us to learn about our shared histories, culture and achievements. It’s also a time to reflect on both the good and bad of who we are and how we can contribute to moving forward together on this journey of reconciliation.

NRW always falls at the same time each year – 27 May to 3 June, as this is the anniversary of other important milestones in our country’s history. 27 May marks the anniversary of the 1967 Constitutional Referendum in which Australians voted overwhelmingly to amend the Constitution to allow the Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal people and include them in the census.

National Sorry Day is held on 26 May each year to remember and acknowledge the Stolen Generations – those many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families, communities and culture.

The first National Sorry Day was held on 26 May 1998 to commemorate the first anniversary of the Bringing Them Home report and remember the grief, suffering and injustice experienced by members of the stolen generations.

While we reflect on the shameful and painful history of the Stolen Generations today, we can also recognise moments of resilience, healing and the power of saying sorry.

Mabo Day is always commemorated on 3 June. This day is named after Eddie Koiki Mabo, a Torres Strat Islander, whose courageous campaign for Indigenous land rights led to a landmark decision by the High Court of Australia in 1992 to overturn the claim of Terra Nullius (Latin for ‘land belonging to no-one’).

This historic legal decision, known as The Mabo Decision, recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have inherent rights to their land.

Reconciliation is an ongoing journey that reminds us that while generations of Australians have fought hard for meaningful change, future gains are likely to take just as much, if not more, effort.

Our staff across South West Hospital and Health Service continue to work to support reconciliation as well as address inequities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our communities.

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK 2020


SWHHS Chief Executive Linda Patat with Senior

Indigenous Health Coordinator Rodney Landers

Senior and Acting Nursing Director Quality and

Safety Louisa Dufty


Across the South West, we recognised and celebrated our nurses and midwives as part of International Midwives Day (5 May) and International Nurses Day (12 May).

These commemorative days held increased significance this year, both because 2020 is the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, and because of the prominent role nurses have played around the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Appropriately, 2020’s theme for International Nurses Day is ‘Nursing the world to health’ and, as Acting Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery Services Jeff Potter explained, the critical importance of nurses’ work to the health of our communities has never been clearer.

“Our South West nurses and midwives have always provided excellence in health care across the region. At this critical time in our shared history, they continue to maintain services while also rising to the challenge of responding to the rapid impact of COVID-19 on our healthcare system, our community and our lives,” Jeff said.

“Every nurse and midwife across the South West shares the same commitment to caring for our patients. These are the people who devote their lives to caring for mothers and children; giving lifesaving immunizations and health advice; looking after older people and generally meeting everyday essential health needs,” Jeff said.

Nurses and midwives are the largest group of frontline health professionals – some 285,000 are registered in Australia. They serve humanity and, by their actions, protect the health and wellbeing of people, communities and nations.

Jeff reminds us, “You’d be hard pressed to find anyone anywhere who hasn’t been touched by the care and compassion of a nurse or midwife.”

NURSING THE WORLD TO HEALTH – CELEBRATING NURSES AND MIDWIVES

The Pulse May 202010

Celebrating International Nurses Day at Roma Hospital are Carly Acheson who is cutting the cake with (from left) Allison Watson, Abbey Barlow, Sam Mawn and David Laverty

Carly Acheson, Allison Watson, Abbey Barlow, Sam Mawn, David Laverty and Leanne Patton with Megan Coffey (front) celebrating International Nurses Day

Mellisa Wakefield (front) with (back from left) Georgie Wrathen,

Tessa Saunders, Sonya Green, Mahalia Schuller, Hannah

Thorogood and Jenny Ferry.


CHARLEVILLE PARKRUN, READY AND WAITING …


Despite COVID-19 restrictions pausing parkruns all over the world, Charleville’s Graham Andrews parkrun team, with help from the HOPE Program, has been busy behind the scenes, making sure once restrictions are lifted, they’ll be ready to go again.

With the support of Murweh Shire Council, Charleville parkrun now has a permanent storage shed in Graham Andrews Park to house all the signage, directional posts, banners and other bits and pieces required every Saturday morning.

The HOPE Program’s Jenny Peacock said the Murweh Shire Council, and in particular engineer Paul O’Connor, had supported Charleville’s parkrun from the word go.

“Having a permanent storage shed will make it a lot easier for the volunteers to set up and pack up every Saturday.”

“We also have new permanent signage, which will ensure visitors and locals know where to start and finish as well as the 5km route through the park,” Jenny explained.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the parkrun has been suspended, but the Murweh community is very keen to get back to their Saturday morning run and will soon be celebrating their first anniversary, hoping to beat the largest attendance to date of 72 participants.

“We are all looking forward to welcoming visitors and locals back to our parkrun soon,” Jenny said.

“Whether you walk, jog or run the 5 km, are a volunteer or supporter, we value everyone and love how our parkrun contributes to making the Murweh Shire a healthy community.”

(Top Left) Jo Toms, Jenny Peacock & Ben Heinneman check out their new

storage shed in Graham Andrews Park

(Bottom Left) Jo Toms and Davida Melksham admire the new sign

(Right) Jo Toms loving the new directional signs


KEEPING FRIENDS CONNECTED

Charleville’s Healthy Ageing community loves nothing more than getting together to play board games and cards in their beloved Alfred Street centre. However, in the time of coronavirus restrictions, our Healthy Ageing team realised that they needed to come up with a ‘new normal’ to keep people connected – and that’s how virtual Hoy was born!

Healthy Ageing’s Project Officer Deb Alick explained that due to COVID-19 restrictions, most of the seniors were self-isolating. But the team was adamant that physical isolation didn’t mean they had to be socially isolated.

“We invited everyone to play Hoy over the phone using teleconference technology,” she said.

“As well as keeping our people connected, we know that those who regularly play games such as chess, cards and bingo are more likely maintain a sharper memory,” she said.

The teleconference took quite a bit of coordinating, but it worked out well with 11 people dialling in and joining the game. And it was so good for everyone to hear their friends’ voices and know they’re not alone during these interesting times.

Deb also explained that it was a great learning experience for the seniors, many of whom were nervous about the technology but gave it a go anyway.

The Healthy Ageing team is hoping to use tele and video conferencing much more in the future, especially for those who may be unwell. If they can’t physically make it to Healthy Ageing, they can still dial in and connect with their friends.

Here’s how to play Hoy

The person in charge (the dealer) gives each player a Hoy Game Sheet and 9 counters or chips, which they use to mark the cards printed on their sheet.

The dealer then takes a pack of cards and turns a card over, one at a time, calling that card out to the group.

If any player has a picture of that card on their Hoy Game Sheet, they put a marker on that card.

The game continues until a player has marked all cards on their Hoy Game Sheet – they then call HOY!


Bruce Schmitt playing Hoy

Margaret Gorman having her go

Deb Alick dealing the cards while on speaker phone

to the group who were playing virtually


MAKE 2020 THE YEAR YOU QUIT


Midwife Jacqui Durose

loves helping our

expecting mums

Healthy Communities have launched a new education campaign as part of this year’s Lung Health Awareness Month in May and World No Tobacco Day (31 May) to encourage South West residents who smoke to quit for the sake of their health.

Our Chief Executive Linda Patat said World No Tobacco Day was an opportune time for smokers to reconsider their relationship to smoking and the perfect time for Healthy Communities to launch their new campaign.

Linda explained that the 2018 Chief Health Officer’s report revealed some encouraging findings. “The proportion of adult South West residents who smoke daily has fallen from 22 per cent in 2016 to 17 per cent. This is very heartening and shows the quit smoking message seems to be working,’’ Linda said.

“However, our rate of smoking in the South West is still substantially higher than the 11 per cent state-wide average. And we’re quitting smoking more slowly than the rest of the state.

“From 2009 to 2018, we saw a 31 per cent decrease in the number of adult daily smokers across the state. But the South West did not have the same level of decline, with only a 14 per cent drop.

“As a health service, we are promoting 2020 as a ‘year of healthy choices’ and one of the unhealthy behaviours we want to target is smoking. We want to encourage South West residents to consider how risk factors such as smoking, as well as unhealthy weight, inactivity and alcohol consumption are impacting on their health and lifestyle.

“It’s never too late to quit and we’ve had many success stories in our region of people giving up smoking once they have realised the full health implications.

“For instance, we had a young woman at Mitchell who fell pregnant and told her Midwife, Jacqui Durose, at their initial consultation that she was a 20-cigarettes a day smoker.

“Jacqui explained the health risks of smoking, both to the mum-to-be and to her unborn baby. They had regular conversations about strategies to quit smoking and to monitor progress. Finally, at 26 weeks gestation, the young woman announced that she had quit for good – and has kept to that promise.

“So, as you can see, even if you are a hardened, pack-a-day smoker of many years, you can still quit, and your health will start to reap benefits immediately.”

Midwife Jacqui Durose (below) loves her job and knowing she is helping expecting mums in our communities across the South West.


EFFECTS ON YOUR BODY ONCE YOU QUIT

Our Healthy Communities (from left) Rohan

Ballon, Helen Wassman, Bryce brown, Michael

Redden and Kathy Morrow

The second you quit smoking your body starts to heal itself. Within 20 minutes, your blood pressure and heart rate start to recover from the cigarette-induced spike, and within 12 hours most of the nicotine in your blood stream is gone.

Within 72 hours, your energy levels increase and within one month your blood pressure returns to normal. Your ability to fight infection improves, your risk of heart attack decreases, and your circulation and lung function begin to improve.

Chief Executive Linda Patat said one of the best motivators to start down the quit smoking path was to be clear as to why you want to stop.

“Many people may want to quit smoking to set a healthy example for their children, or just feel better about themselves,’’ she said.

“For others, there’s the financial incentive of saving money – a pack-a-day habit can cost you about $9000 a year.

“Being clear about your reasons will provide a strong foundation for your quit journey.’’



HEALTHY COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE

The Healthy Communities initiative is designed to help South West residents create, support and encourage heathy lifestyle behaviours and is a key priority of the SWHHS Strategic Plan.

What we want to achieve across the South West is to keep people healthy and avoid them having to come to hospital in the first place.

As part of the SWHHS strategic plan, a range of ‘healthy communities’ initiatives has been designed to reduce the burden of chronic disease in our region and the rate of avoidable hospital admissions.

Unhealthy and risky behaviours, such as smoking, lead to potentially preventable hospitalisations and premature deaths. For instance, lung disease, which makes breathing difficult, is closely associated with smoking. The best way to treat lung disease or to prevent it is to stop smoking.

The State Government’s QuitHQ: Where Quitters Click tobacco cessation campaign has been running since 2018 and is a one-stop shop for quit smoking information and support to empower Queensland adults to quit smoking.

SOUTH WEST STAFF MEMBER SHARES HER ‘QUIT’ STORY


If you have quit smoking, we’d love to hear about it. If you’re willing to

share your story, please email us at

[email protected]

Our Chief Experience Officer Helen Wassman caught up with Indigenous Liaison Officer Donna Hooper recently in Dirranbandi. After they got chatting, Donna shared her smoking cessation journey with Helen, and we thought it would be lovely to share Donna’s inspiring story with everyone across the South West.

Donna started smoking at 15 and, like many people who start at such a young age, found it hard to give up until she experienced a health scare eight years ago.

“I had chest pain that would not go away. I was scared. I was flown out of Dirranbandi and had to have lots of tests to determine the cause,” Donna said.

“The doctor was very blunt and direct with me at the time and said that if I didn’t give up smoking, I wouldn’t live to see my grandchildren grow up.”

This was a real wake-up call for Donna, as she loves spending time with her grandchildren.

“It wasn’t easy to quit, but I was determined. I wore a patch for two weeks and after that I never ever smoked again.

“By not smoking I have saved a lot of money and I can honestly say I feel so much healthier. I have eight beautiful grandchildren now and I’m so glad I gave up smoking when I did.”

Indigenous Liaison Officer

Donna Hooper


NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US


Early in 2018, the South West Hospital and Health Service established its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Advisory Council (the Council) to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the South West were represented at the highest level of planning, decision-making and governance.

The 16 members of the Council bring together an outstanding group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and local community members from SWHHS as well as Goondir Health Services, Charleville and Western Areas Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health (CWAATSICH) and Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health (CACH).

The Council Chair, Senior Indigenous Health Coordinator Rodney Landers Senior, has also become a valuable member of the SWHHS Executive Leadership Team.

“The Council is a decision-making council within the SWHHS Governance Framework, established to provide leadership, management and governance to business and supporting services” Rodney said.

“Our purpose is to help the Health Service fulfil its responsibilities towards closing the gap and ensure the organisation’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health goals and KPIs are achieved.”

Rodney explained that to achieve this, the 16-member Council facilitates and leads meaningful community consultation in support of local Indigenous health strategies that aim to close the gap in health inequities.

Council members also play an active role in their communities, getting behind and promoting events such as Reconciliation Week and Under 8s Week in May and the biennial Bamba Gii Festival in September, which is part of 2020’s Year of Indigenous Tourism.

The Council’s focus continues for 2020, by:

• boosting our membership, especially with administration and operational staff

• growing our future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce

• continuing SWHHS’s Cultural Capability training

• promoting the role of Hospital Indigenous Liaison Officers

• improving communication with our Partners – including the Surat Aboriginal Corporation

• delivering smoking cessation programs and support

• developing governance documents, including a Workforce Plan, Cultural Capabilities Plan and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategic Plan, and contributing to a Health Equity Plan.

The Council reports directly to the Health Service Chief Executive and has direct access to the South West Hospital and Health Service Board and Executive Leadership Team. Council members share their expertise and provide strategic advice and guidance on important matters such as service delivery and evaluation, funding, safety and quality priorities, staff training and development, workforce planning, and research priorities – particularly in relation to cultural appropriateness and safety.

The Council supports SWHHS values and is underpinned by the governance elements of Leadership, Accountability, Transparency/Openness, Integrity, Stewardship and Efficiency.

(from left) SWHHS Chief Executive Linda

Patat and Council Chair, Senior Indigenous

Health Coordinator Rodney Landers Senior with

Queensland’s Chief Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander Health Officer and Deputy Director-General

Haylene Grogan


TELEHEALTH – THE WAY OF THE FUTURE

Speech Pathologist Aleisha Teske and

Occupational Therapist Brydie Ward chat via

telehealth to George Reilly who lives outside

of Wallumbilla

Many of our allied health professionals across the South West have embraced the world of Telehealth during COVID-19 as a way to stay connected with their patients.

Speech Pathologist Aleisha Teske said she has loved being able to continue to see her patients despite the restrictions and hopes to continue using Telehealth even after restrictions are lifted.

“We are so passionate about continuing Telehealth after restrictions ease as it enables us to see our young patients in their homes. It also allows for their parents to engage and be involved during therapy, saving so much travel time and resources.

“We can also fit more patients into our schedule since we aren’t travelling to outreach sites twice weekly.

“The patients are also enjoying not having to travel by being treated in their homes, so it really is a win-win situation.”

One of Aleisha’s patients, George Reilly, has been loving the virtual sessions with all his therapists, OT Brydie Ward and physio Samantha Burey as well as Aleisha.

His mum Olivia said how fortunate they have been in being able to continue their allied health sessions through Telehealth.

“We haven’t had to travel the 120km round trip to Roma and we have managed to continue all the sessions despite the restrictions – in fact, we haven’t missed one appointment.

“At times we have had some service and connection issues but overall it has been a very positive experience and we believe that Telehealth is an important component as it allows rural families the ability to access health services so much more easily,” Olivia said.

Aleisha and her colleagues all hope Telehealth is the way of the future.

“We definitely believe it will allow us to see more patients across the rural and remote South West and we hope to upskill in this area for the future of healthcare in the bush,” she said.



REBOOT YOUR PRIVACY


This year’s Privacy Awareness Week came in the midst of COVID-19 – a time when our circumstances are changing rapidly as we adopt to new ways of working.

Public health concerns are front of mind and information needs to be shared to prevent and manage COVID-19. But at the same time, we need to do all we can to support public trust and confidence in the way we handle sensitive information, and always be guided by good privacy practice.

As we work to stop the spread of COVID-19, more of our activity and interactions are moving online. This makes the theme for Privacy Awareness Week 2020 – Reboot Your Privacy – especially relevant.

Here are some simple tips to help you reboot your privacy, keeping personal and sensitive information safe and improving your online safety.

Secure your personal information – lock your screen when you walk away, don’t email health information outside of Qld Health, store sensitive date appropriately, and always keep your devices and documents safe and secure. And use a secure WiFi network.

Protect your accounts – make sure your passwords are strong and unique, and never share them.

Detox your digital profile – social media is a great way to stay in touch but don’t overshare. Posts, photos and videos can reveal a lot about you and others. Adjust your privacy settings to protect your personal information.

Clean up your email – delete redundant emails and think before your send, checking the email address, recipient’s name, patient details and that all information is accurate.

Tracking your location – this is helpful when using navigation or a ridesharing app, but do you want third parties to know how you travel to work or where you live?

Adjust the default settings in your phone to protect your privacy.

Where’s your data going? – when you visit a website or use an app, your device can be tracked using cookies. The aim is to help websites remember your preferences, record your online behaviour and share this information with third parties. Again, you can fix this in your privacy settings.

Online shopping – consider checking out as a guest and leaving data fields blank to limit the amount of personal information the site collects and stores.

Phishing attacks – these common cyberattacks can compromise your login details, crack passwords and give others unauthorised access to your email and online accounts. Phishing messages often feature branding and logos to appear ‘real’ and try to trick you into clicking on a link or attachment. Look out for requests to confirm logins, suspicious looking attachments or requests for money.

It’s not ok to – look up another staff member’s personal details, such as their birthdate or address; check details of a friend or neighbour who may be unwell; or look up results for yourself. Remember, improper use of information by public officers is a serious breach of trust and may be a criminal offence.

Use these tips and think about the ways we can strengthen our privacy processes across the South West. After all, protecting the privacy of our patients, our co-workers and ourselves is the least we can do.

Jodie Turvey and Michael Wilson, from SWHHS’s Quality

and Safety Unit, remind us to store files securely and

safeguard privacy


Western Queensland (WQ) HealthPathways and the HealthPathways Community across Queensland have been working together, developing further clinical communications to support the COVID-19 health response.

WQ’s HealthPathways Implementation Manager Robin Warren said the state network of HealthPathways GP Clinical Editors had been meeting regularly to determine the information needs of health professionals.

“It’s been all systems go as we move from acute emergency responses to caring for the longer-term impacts of isolation and other pandemic-related issues,” Robin said.

“Our recent COVID-19-related additions include pages on mental health, end-of-life care, residential aged care and the impact on clinical care.

“Although our western areas are COVID-19 free, these pages are a rich source of information around recommended preventive actions and how to manage concerns related to the effect of the pandemic response on communities.”

She said WQ HealthPathways had already proved to be a useful resource for health professionals with over 200 users accessing the web-based information portal since its launch in March this year.

Access to WQ HealthPathways is available on the SWHHS intranet. For more information, contact the WQ HealthPathways team on [email protected].

HEALTH PATHWAYS THROUGH THE PANDEMIC


WQ Pathways is a great platform for clinicians like

Dr Lewis Murray (right) to access information to help make

the right decision together with patients, at the point of care


#SWSPIRIT AWARD WINNER FOR MAY

#SWspirit is a regular initiative to recognise staff who exemplify the organisation’s spirit through living our values in the way they work every day.

Since joining the SWHHS work family in March on secondment from the Department of Health’s Transformation Team, Charlene has fully embraced the South West’s spirit, vision and commitment to delivering quality health care in the bush.

Charlene originally joined the HOPE team as the Acting Community Program Coordinator. However, due to COVID-19 affecting our work in the community, she moved across to support the HSCE office’s response to the pandemic.

No matter which role, Charlene has embraced every challenge. Her ability to forward plan, link critical pieces of information, and support busy front-line leaders has helped the South West to prepare for our pandemic response.

Charlene’s skills have been critical in supporting the Health Emergency Operations Centre. She’s been diligently completing risk assessments and governance documentation, relieving a significant burden from our busy Incident Management Team leads.

Her colleagues are continuously appreciative of her support and comradery, with a team member sharing, “in only a few short weeks, Charlene has worked out how special the South West communities really are. She has been living and breathing our values while gaining an appreciation for rural and remote healthcare. She has quickly become a genuine asset to the South West.”

Congratulations Charlene for giving so much to SWHHS in such a short time. Your quality of work, engagement and ability to adapt and embrace change during your short time with us is a wonderful asset to the SWHHS family.



ROMA HOSPITAL BUILD UPDATE

COMMISSIONING UPDATE

CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

The focus throughout April and May has been on preparing and commissioning the Orientation and Training Program, which will detail the processes and timing for all staff training and hospital orientation.

The program will include an online Hospital Orientation Program, to be hosted on SW-LOL, which all staff must complete. In addition, everyone must attend an onsite induction in their new work area to become familiar with the new environment, be trained in the use of new equipment or technology, scenario test new work or patient flows, and complete their fire and evacuation training.

The regular site tours for staff are still on hold and won’t recommence until the COVID-19 restrictions are eased. In the meantime, if you haven’t yet done a site tour, please email Kirsty Dykes who is keeping a list of interested staff.

To book a tour please email [email protected]

Once the site tours recommence, Kirsty will liaise with you to arrange a suitable time and date.

Despite the challenges of building and commissioning a new hospital in the current environment, the new Roma Hospital is on track. This is testament to the team across the build, the Department, our own staff and our commissioning team.

Some of you may have seen the new front entrance signage, which has been up now for a few weeks. It looks fantastic, as you can see from the photos.

Final commissioning of services and internal works has been continuing throughout April and May. External works on the pathways between the Services Building, Staff Accommodation and Westhaven are now complete.


Documents

PULSE...PULSE MAY 2020 EDITION South West Hospital and Health Service Midwife Jacqui Durose loves working and living in the South West From the Board Chair, Karen Tully 4 From the